Hailing from the stage and screen of his native England, actor Dominic West made a name in the United States playing hard-drinking, anti-authoritarian homicide detective, Jimmy McNulty, on the gritty television crime drama, "The Wire" (HBO, 2002-08). Prior to that critically acclaimed role, West appeared in films like "Richard III" (1995), "Surviving Picasso" (1996) and "The Gambler" (1998). But it was his five years on "The Wire" that perhaps offered him the richest and most compelling performance of his career on a show numerous critics dubbed the greatest series in the history of television. Thanks to the critical adulation heaped upon "The Wire," West nabbed plumber roles in higher-profile movies like "Mona Lisa Smile" (2003) and "The Forgotten" (2004). He had his first major co-starring role in the blockbuster adaptation of Frank Miller's graphic novel, "300" (2007), and continued along in that vein with "Punisher: War Zone" (2008) and "Centurion" (2010). Thanks to a ready charm and comedic flair mixed with serious acting chops, West was an extraordinary talent worthy of attention.

Hailing from the stage and screen of his native England, actor Dominic West made a name in the United States playing hard-drinking, anti-authoritarian homicide detective, Jimmy McNulty, on the gritty television crime drama, "The Wire" (HBO, 2002-08). Prior to that critically acclaimed role, West appeared in films like "Richard III" (1995), "Surviving Picasso" (1996) and "The Gambler" (1998). But it was his five years on "The Wire" that perhaps offered him the richest and most compelling performance of his career on a show numerous critics dubbed the greatest series in the history of television. Thanks to the critical adulation heaped upon "The Wire," West nabbed plumber roles in higher-profile movies like "Mona Lisa Smile" (2003) and "The Forgotten" (2004). He had his first major co-starring role in the blockbuster adaptation of Frank Miller's graphic novel, "300" (2007), and continued along in that vein with "Punisher: War Zone" (2008) and "Centurion" (2010). Thanks to a ready charm and comedic flair mixed with serious acting chops, West was an extraordinary talent worthy of attention.

Education

Trinity College:
- 1993

Notes

Dominic West on his experiences with nudity on the set of "William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream": "It was the first time I'd got everything off. What bothered me is that I was the only one who did. I was looking forward to Anna [Friel] and everyone but they all managed to get out of it and I was terrified! I walked in and thought, 'Fuck it, I'll take off my bathrobe now', and I took it off and everyone pretended that they didn't notice except Anna who just looked at me, pointed and burst out laughing. So I was feeling slightly bruised and then the props guy came over and said 'I didn't realise it was so cold in here, darling.'-- it was utterly humiliating." --quoted in Empire Online, November 12, 1999

West on his miniscule part in "Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace": "I just wanted to meet George Lucas and see how these films were made. I got another part as well, but they replaced me with a computer animated droid which they thought said the lines better. It was fun though. It's great to be a part of a legend like that." --quoted in Empire Online, November 12, 1999